Five years ago, every boxing reporter wanted to interview him after Barry McGuigan made him his first signing as a manager.

McGuigan won the world featherweight championship and brought Ireland together at the height of the Troubles – and working with him made James big news.

Looking back, James says he was “overwhelmed” by the attention and while former sparring partner Carl Frampton has climbed into world-title contention, he’s split with McGuigan on good terms, been beaten and written off.

Given the chance to turn the clock back, James admits he would do things differently, but the 30-year-old still has everything to fight for.

If he beats Chris Male in Walsall a week on Saturday, it could lead to a crack at the British super-featherweight title – and James expects a good-luck message from McGuigan before what he describes as “ a very, very important fight”.

James stays in contact with McGuigan via Twitter and admitted: “I was overwhelmed that Barry wanted to work with me when I turned pro.

“I’m just a kid from Cov and suddenly I was working with a big name getting all this publicity. A lot of people were talking about me and there was a lot of expectancy as well.

“I did have a lot of knock-outs as an amateur but I was fighting novices. I only boxed two open-class lads and I could have done with more experience at a higher level in the amateurs.

“I turned pro at 25 thinking it was now or never, but I could have had another two years at open-class level in the amateurs, fighting every week against every different style. It wouldn’t have mattered if I won or lost. I would have been learning my trade.”

James instead learned his trade in the professional ring – and the gym.

He’s won Midlands Area honours, given unbeaten Terry Flannigan his toughest-ever fight for the English belt and although out of action since June, he’s sharpened his skills sparring the likes of Anthony Crolla and Joe Costello, a former world-class amateur.

“I’ve done a lot of sparring with good lads in the last few months and I’ve come on so much,” said James.

“I’ve sparred movers, guys who come forward, every style, so I’m prepared for whatever he brings.

“I know this is a must-win fight. The British title will be so close if I win, but if I lose, it will take me months to get back into contention.”